Lincolnshire County Council approves budget

LINCOLNSHIRE County Council has approved its budget today which includes a council tax free for 2011/12.

The council has also protected services which have an impact on public safety including police community support officers, safeguarding children, fire and rescue and road gritting.

The county council has lost 28 per cent of its Government grant funding over the next four years and has had to re-structure how its services are delivered to cope with a shortfall of £125m.

County council portfolio holder for finance Kelly Smith (Con) said: “This is the toughest financial settlement for years. The national finances need to be repaired and that equates to less money for councils throughout the country.

“The council also faces increasing costs, particularly for caring for the growing numbers of elderly people in the county.

“Energy prices are also rising and the council is taking on new responsibilities for flood management and concessionary bus fares.

“This budget and the council re-structure has set the direction for the council for the foreseeable future. We are committed to providing essential, value for money, front line services and to keeping council tax bills as low as possible whilst doing this.”